Pro Dukes Making Us Proud (and more coaching thoughts)
Don’t Cross the Damn Moats!
Before we get to some evolving thoughts on the search for a Head Ball Coach, we wanted to follow up all of the awards talk surrounding current Duke Stephon Robertson with some great news about a former Duke, in this case Buffalo Bills Linebacker Arthur Moats. As many of you know, Moats has been having a career year. His first as a full-time defensive starter has been very solid on the field. But even better, Moats has endeared himself to upstate New York through his actions off the field. And for this, he was just named Buffalo’s nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Moats’ dedication to the philanthropic work and commitment to the Buffalo community (in addition to crushing Favre and inspiring #dontcrossthemoats of course) have made him a bit of a cult hero among Bills fans and we couldn’t be prouder to have him as one of the more recognizable representatives of JMU!
But of course we have to express a few more thoughts on the coaching search. First, we have to give JMU and Carr some credit for the general veil of secrecy surrounding the search. Even the intrepid Matthew Stoss of the DNR appears to be struggling to gain much traction in the way of verifiable information. In our opinion, this isn’t a bad thing. Next, an update on the names is seems we know: George Barlow (current assistant at Vandy and former Dukes DC) has interviewed, Brian Stinespring (current VT whipping boy and assclown) has interviewed, John DeFilippo (former Dukes QB and current Raiders assistant) has very likely interviewed though probably not in the ‘Burg, and we assume Mike O’Cain (current Dukes OC and former NC State HC) has interviewed. Those are the four names we know. It seems likley there are one or two more, less obvious candidates we don’t know. We think, based on Stoss’s take and the fact we hope JB can hear the VT Fans rejoicing if they find a way to get rid of Stinespring, that the leading candidates are Barlow, DeFilippo, and maybe O’Cain. Of that group, Barlow appears to have emerged as the fans’ choice and we can’t blame them. We’re trying to reserve judgment, because we’re in no way qualified make a judgment on any of these guys, but we can say confidently we’d be excited about either Barlow or DeFilippo for sure. We also wonder if there’s a chance O’Cain could be convinced to stick around with either or both of those guys??
Next, a quick note on Carr’s involvement. We’ve heard quite a few voices saying essentially, “these guys were all obvious JMU targets and why are we paying Carr?” While that may not be entirely invalid, Carr provides more than just candidates. First, you’ve got to think they’ve put candidates on the board that JB wouldn’t have thought of or seriously considered on his own. Even if he chooses to stick to his short list, there’s value in forcing him to choose. Second, the lack of leaks or public shitshows that we’ve occasionally seen in the past has to be in part credited to Carr’s involvement. The use of a third party to talk with agents, set up meetings, etc. definitely gives JMU the ability to keep a lower profile publicly. Next, nobody really seems to know all the candidates so the use of Carr is not something that anyone seems qualified (other than JB and co.) to make judgments about yet. Finally, if JMU ends up with the right guy before Christmas, we’ll be pleased no matter how they chose to get there.
And no, the sky isn’t falling just yet due to the delayed hire. This decision is too important long-term, especially as it relates to the new direction JMU Athletics is heading as they likely switch conferences in the next few months, to rush the process over fears of losing one or two recruits. We’re as anxious as anyone, and it is “gettin’ late early” but we’re also hopeful for a decision this weekend or next weekend at the latest and won’t be busting out our pitchforks just yet.
No offense to you guys but I am hoping that you are way off on your list of candidates. I would rate that group collectively as LIGHT, at best. Understand that I have no problem with us interviewing them for various reasons, but our list should also include current successful HC’s at successful FCS programs that would view us as a nice “step up.” Hopefully this is the real value that Carr brings, in allowing us to talk to those coaches without drawing the attention of their local media outlets and avoiding them having to deny looking at any other jobs before we can take them through our process.
Hell no to O’Cain sticking around. As an alumnus of JMU, but also a fan of Clemson, I don’t want that guy anywhere near JMU. He took some pretty talent Clemson offenses and ran them into the ground. He did little to change my mind this past year in the ‘Burg.
FormerDukeBlocker, we’re not breaking any news here regarding candidates. The names we’ve listed are simply those being reported but those in the know. JMU is keeping things very hush hush, so maybe there are more candidates. If there are, they haven’t been made public though.
Not sure I’m on board with the Barlow idea. The blog said fans are jumping on board with this one? Is that on twitter or theblog or what?
I’d say that we need to have a coach sitting in the office by the first day of classes in January. Until then, no need to panic.
As far as the list goes, I’m not “upset”, but not exactly excited, either. Knowing Coaches Barlow and O’Cain personally, I like them both a lot. That being said, neither one of them would make me jump off my couch and reserve a hotel room in Frisco, TX for January 2015 (before anyone flips out– that was tongue-in-cheek).
I don’t know anything about Coach Flip. That could hit the jackpot or go completely bust.
Don’t even mention that person not-to-be-named from Blacksburg. Like…. just blank his name out from all future JMUSB posts.
I was really hoping that we had someone in mind when we fired MM. Apparently we didn’t. I was also hoping that JMU was committed to investing in the future of the program and land a big time hire, but I just get the feeling that we are settling for whoever walks in the door. We should be actively recruiting a coach, not just accepting applications.
For that matter, hell…I should apply.
2004 Duke. I agree that we at least seem to be poorly prepared for this search, which is baffling as it is a HUGE decision. This is probably the most important decision that will face our school in the next decade. Will we transition into a true mid-major athletic power with national relevance (like Central Florida, NIU, Fresno, Boise) or will we wither into further irrelevance as a national institution. It will come down to our football program’s growth and success, and the head football coach will have the most impact on that. I am hoping, like I said before, that Carr is so good at what they do that all of us are being kept in the dark about the true list of candidates and they help us hit a home run. If not, I am afraid that dark days are ahead for our university.
From Football Scoop…
“James Madison (FCS): Brian Stinespring, John DeFilipo and Everett Withers are finalists for the job according to the Richmond Times Dispatch.”
WTF — STINESPRING IS A FINALIST???
What the hell is JMU thinking???
How can Barlow NOT be a finalist???
DNR’s stoss is still saying its pretty hush hush over at JMU so its very possible there are other candidates out there we haven’t heard about (like Withers name suddenly appearing).
The hits just keep on a comin…
So long Coach Newsome! I had high hopes for you turning our babyfaces into big uglies.
Again, from Football Scoop…
“Emory and Henry (D-III – VA): Former Virginia Tech offensive line coach Curt Newsome will be named head coach at Emory and Henry tomorrow, according to a report from Allen Gregory.”
Keep reading about only “3 finalists for the job”.
See following links.
http://www.timesdispatch.com/sports/college/football/tech-s-stinespring-jmu-talk-about-head-coach-position/article_7a1c965a-4a73-56f8-9607-7af531cd5c95.html
http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2013/12/31095/everett-withers-in-final-three-for-jmu-job
Everett Withers (Def Coord, Ohio State) will be the new coach.
http://www.footballscoop.com/news/12006-everett-withers-will-be-the-new-head-coach-at-james-madison
THANK GOD it’s NOT gonna be STINESPRING!!!